“Well, they tried it,” laughed the girl, “but I’ve not forgotten how to ride a horse. I can hardly wait to get out to the ranch. I thought someone would meet me.”
“Haven’t seen Blakeman or any of the Rainbow outfit in town for a week. Roads have been pretty muddy. But you can get through now.”
“I’ll hire a rig,” said Connie. “Does old Charlie Trench still rim his jitney?”
“Same as ever,” the agent agreed with a grin. Then his face became sober. “But you may find other changes around here.”
“What sort of changes?” inquired Connie quickly.
“Oh, one thing and another,” answered the agent vaguely. “Say, I see Charlie across the street now. If you want to catch him you better hurry.”
Connie hastened across the street, stopping the old man just as he was entering a cafe. He greeted her with a hearty handshake and declared that he would be glad to drive her out to Rainbow Ranch.
“Everything looks just the same,” laughed Connie as Charlie loaded her bags into the decrepit old car.
“Maybe they look thet way,” replied the old taxi driver shortly, “but they ain’t! You’ll find plenty of changes, Connie—’specially out at Rainbow.”
“Why, is anything the matter, Charlie?” Connie stared at him in surprise. “I thought everything was running well. The foreman, Forest Blakeman, seemed to be very efficient.”